LeBron James Leads NBA in Earnings for the 9th Year Straight

With the NBA being the most-watched basketball league worldwide, most people know that players are paid exorbitant sums that often reach multiple millions. This is well worth the entertainment value they bring to the table, so we doubt there are hard feelings among fans.

These basketball legends are setting the bar pretty high when income is in question, but for nine years now, no one’s been able to beat LeBron James’s hot streak as the highest-paid NBA player! With an estimated amount of just under $125 million, he’s entering the hall of fame as the highest-paid NBA player in history.

A Growing Market

While it’s still second-string to football, basketball is one of the most popular sports worldwide. With 2.5 billion fans tuning in to see their favorite teams smash their way through the leagues and earn their well-deserved championship rings, it’s easy to see why top-performing players like LeBron James are being paid as high as they are. The sports industry makes a ton of money from the priceless entertainment value of streaming these games, and several related industries thrive off of merchandise, reporting, gambling, sponsorships, etc.

The sheer popularity of this sport is best-displayed through sports betting. Numbers show an increased interest in NBA betting, with players in various locations globally rooting for their teams vehemently. Bookies with sign up offers that enhance the overall experience are thriving from this new wave of fan interest, as new types of bets make their way onto the market to keep up. It’s not just about the classic anymore. Sport betting fans can now explore a slew of new predictions that exhaust nearly every point of the game, and even events outside of it!

Ahead of the Competition

For the ninth year in a row, LeBron James has topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid NBA players, and we can’t say we’re surprised to hear it. The basketball superstar is set to make around $44 million this season as a part of his two-year $85.6 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course, if you’ve been keeping up with the recent press, that’s not the end of the line for his stint with the Lakers. The player signed a $97 million extension for the 2024/2025 season, keeping him with the team for an additional two years.

What’s interesting about his high placement on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid NBA players is his significant lead. The basketball icon is leading with a solid gap of $30 million, leaving players like Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant behind by a mile. Of course, his off-court earnings play a big part in this overall estimate. From off-court earnings alone, James is set to receive about $80 million, and that’s a low estimate considering some of his investments aren’t included in these figures. It’s safe to say he’s dipped his fingers in many pots, and by the looks of it, they’re full of nothing but honey.

A Slew of Exciting Ventures

If you’re looking at LeBron James as a savvy businessman instead of a basketball player, the title still fits. James has made several worthwhile investments over the years that seem to be paying off nicely. His entertainment company, SpringHill Entertainment, was valued at a staggering $725 mullion just last year. Alongside it, he’s also invested in ventures like a Major League Pickleball team, Canyon Bicycles, the sports nutrition company Ladder, and much more. He’s also a minority owner in Liverpool FC and the Boston Red Sox!

As you can probably imagine, LeBron James is one of the few star athletes to surpass the $100 million mark in earnings this year. Football legends are also trying to stay active, with many of them taking on new projects in and out of the stadium to keep us entertained and happy. Naturally, this has led a few of them to make the over $100 million list with relative ease. This includes players Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar, all of who have been involved in several ventures that many might consider outside of their usual comfort zone.